Short Interest in Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV) Declines By 26.5%

Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV) was the target of a large decline in short interest in March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 29,250,000 shares, a decline of 26.5% from the February 28th total of 39,800,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 36,580,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.8 days. Currently, 0.2% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

Ambev Price Performance

NYSE:ABEV traded up $0.05 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $2.33. 23,381,487 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 26,260,883. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 0.89. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $2.04 and its 200-day moving average is $2.12. The stock has a market cap of $36.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.92, a P/E/G ratio of 5.80 and a beta of 0.94. Ambev has a 1-year low of $1.76 and a 1-year high of $2.56.

Ambev (NYSE:ABEV) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 26th. The company reported $0.05 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.06 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $4.63 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.42 billion. Ambev had a net margin of 17.02% and a return on equity of 16.12%. Equities research analysts expect that Ambev will post 0.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Ambev Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 14th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 18th will be paid a dividend of $0.0221 per share. This represents a $0.09 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.79%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 18th. Ambev’s payout ratio is 52.94%.

Institutional Trading of Ambev

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Ambev by 51.4% during the 4th quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 17,084 shares of the company’s stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 5,798 shares during the period. IFP Advisors Inc increased its stake in Ambev by 7.5% in the fourth quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 84,868 shares of the company’s stock valued at $157,000 after purchasing an additional 5,900 shares during the last quarter. Mondrian Investment Partners LTD lifted its position in Ambev by 40.4% during the fourth quarter. Mondrian Investment Partners LTD now owns 20,810 shares of the company’s stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 5,993 shares during the period. Stephens Inc. AR boosted its stake in Ambev by 3.6% in the 4th quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 173,066 shares of the company’s stock worth $320,000 after buying an additional 6,078 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Jones Financial Companies Lllp grew its holdings in Ambev by 7.8% in the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 85,142 shares of the company’s stock valued at $158,000 after buying an additional 6,164 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 8.13% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ABEV has been the topic of a number of research reports. Barclays lowered their price target on Ambev from $2.50 to $2.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 21st. Bank of America lowered Ambev from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, January 17th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Ambev in a research note on Monday, January 27th. They set a “buy” rating for the company. Finally, Citigroup restated a “neutral” rating on shares of Ambev in a report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Ambev presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $2.45.

About Ambev

Ambev SA, through its subsidiaries, engages in the production, distribution, and sale of beer, draft beer, carbonated soft drinks, malt and food, other alcoholic beverages, and non-alcoholic and non-carbonated products in Brazil, Central America and Caribbean, Latin America South, and Canada. It offers beer primarily under the Skol, Brahma, Antarctica, Brahva, Budweiser, Bud Light, Beck, Leffe, Hoegaarden, Balboa ICE, Balboa, Atlas Golden Light, Atlas, Bucanero, Cristal, Mayabe, Presidente, Presidente Light, Brahma Light, Bohemia, The One, Corona, Modelo Especial, Stella Artois, Quilmes Clásica, Paceña, Taquiña, Huari, Becker, Cusqueña, Michelob Ultra, Busch, Pilsen, Ouro Fino, Bud 66, Banks, Deputy, Patricia, Labatt Blue, Alexander Keith’s, and Kokanee brands.